Three Big 12 volleyball squads have earned preseason rankings by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The reigning Big 12 champion and preseason favorite Texas Longhorns check in at No. 2, marking the highest preseason ranking for UT as a member of the league.

Iowa State ranks tenth, while Kansas State earned a No. 22 ranking. The No. 2 ranking matches Texas’ previous best for a preseason ranking as a member of the Big 12 (2009). The Longhorns finished 2011 ranked fourth, while Iowa State was eighth and K-State 22nd.

The Big 12 has had at least three teams ranked in the AVCA preseason poll since its inception, including all 11 schools who have competed in the Conference over the past 16 years. UT, which earned a single first-place vote, advanced to its sixth straight NCAA Regional Finals appearance in 2011.

The ‘Horns have been ranked in the preseason poll each year since 2005. This marks the fifth straight year the Cyclones have appeared in the preseason rankings, while the Wildcats earn their first preseason ranking since 2008.

In 2011, Texas compiled a 25-5 overall record along with a 15-1 mark in Big 12 play, finishing fourth in the final AVCA poll. Texas defeated Kentucky in the NCAA Regional Semifinals before falling to eventual national champion UCLA in the Regional Finals.

The Cyclones and Wildcats joined Texas in the NCAA Regional Semifinals in 2011. Iowa State finished last season with a program-best third-ranked RPI, while K-State upset No. 2 national seed Nebraska in Lincoln in the NCAA Second Round to make just its third Regional appearance in school history.

The Conference finished 2011 with the nation’s best RPI and advanced seven teams to the NCAA postseason. Big 12 teams open the season the weekend of Aug. 24 with conference action beginning on Sept. 19.